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Flying the finals flag

Neil Goulding
15/ 3/2006

STOCKPORT, the defending champions, will play Heaton Mersey in a repeat of last year's Daily Telegraph Senior Flags final.

Tom Gosnay, David Bryant, Chris Bland, Owen Jones, Simon McGuigan and James Morris all scored braces as last year's double-winners defeated Cheadle 12-9 at Wilmslow Road, home of Manchester Waconians LC.

"We played fantistically well," praised Stockport coach Sean Ring.

"Chris Bland was massive for us. He had a great game. We controlled the game and are delighted to be in the final.

"It's Mersey again, which is always a cracking game. We're missing players, but that hasn't affected us too much. We're looking forward to trying to defend our title."

Cheadle coach Geoff Condron admitted some of his players "failed to turn up" when their team needed them most, but only had praise for Stockport's performance.

"Chris Bland was awesome for Stockport. How he's not been picked for the England World Cup team, I'll never know," said Condron.

"He was the difference between the two teams. We just didn't turn up - and the players know that."

Cheadle saw Paul Flowers and former England ace Daren Baythorpe bag four goals each, with Adrian Bennett also on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Men's North of England League leaders Mellor, who need just one win to snatch the domestic crown, suffered a surprise 9-6 loss against Heaton Mersey.

England ace Sam Dunwoodie scored a hat-trick for Mersey, Matt Beadle and Steve Grave netted doubles, while Andy Bain and Ryan Cocchi were also on target.